Insulated container

ABSTRACT

A double-walled insulating container having a dish structure, a lid structure and a retaining ring. The dish structure includes a dish inside wall and a dish outside wall. The dish inside wall and the dish outside wall are fixedly separated by a dish insulation space therebetween. The dish inside wall and the dish outside wall are joined at an upper section of the dish structure to enclose the dish insulation space. The dish inside wall defines a dish interior space. The dish outside wall having an outwardly extending dish flange. The lid structure is configured to resealably-seal the dish interior space. The lid structure has a lid inside wall and a lid outside wall The lid inside wall and the lid outside wall are fixedly separated by a lid insulation space therebetween. The lid inside wall and the lid outside wall being joined at a lower section of the lid structure to enclose the lid insulation space. The lid inside wall defines a lid interior space. The lid outside wall has an outwardly extending lid flange. The retaining ring is configured to engage the lid flange. The retaining ring has at least one securing clip configured to engage dish flange to secure the lid structure to the dish structure.

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application does not claim the benefit of any pending application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed toward an insulated container, and more specifically, to a double-walled thermally insulated containers.

Description of the Related Art

The production and use of food storage containers are well known and highly desirable. Food storage containers are generally useful for the transportation of food. The most common type of food storage container is generally made from plastic and are considered to be a single use type of plastic.

The use of plastic material for food transportation adds to the ever-increasing amount of plastic in landfills, found in the oceans or shipped to developing countries. For example, a rotisserie chicken that is purchased at a store is typically packaged in a plastic container. It is likely that this plastic container will ultimately end up in a landfill or in the ocean.

Additionally, some food containers, such as pizza boxes, while not having much plastic contained therein, are considered a single use product. These types of containers further add to increased amount of waste sent to the landfills every year.

Accordingly, there is a need for a container that provides excellent thermal insulation and is reusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a double-walled, insulating container is disclosed. The insulating container includes a dish structure, a lid structure and a retaining ring. The container may be formed of material sufficient for containing food or beverages, such as stainless steel.

The dish structure has a dish inside wall and a dish outside wall. The dish inside wall and the dish outside wall are fixedly separated by a dish insulation space therebetween. The dish inside wall and the dish outside wall are joined at an upper section of the dish structure to enclose the dish insulation space. The dish inside wall defines a dish interior space. The dish outside wall has an outwardly extending dish flange.

In some aspects, the dish outer wall may include a ribbing structure having a plurality of support ribs. The ribbing structure is constructed to provide structural support to the dish structure.

The lid structure is configured to resealably-seal the dish interior space. The lid structure has a lid inside wall and a lid outside wall. The lid inside wall and the lid outside wall are fixedly separated by a lid insulation space therebetween. The lid inside wall and the lid outside wall are joined at a lower section of the lid structure to enclose the lid insulation space. The lid inside wall defines a lid interior space. The lid outside wall has an outwardly extending lid flange.

The retaining ring is configured to engage the lid flange. The retaining ring further has at least one securing clip configured to engage dish flange to secure the lid structure to the dish structure.

In some aspects, the dish insulation space and the lid insulation space may be a vacuum cavity. Further, in some aspects, the lid flange and the dish flange have at least two handle portions.

In some aspects, the lid structure is removably-coupled to the insulating container by at least one magnetic component. Further, the lid structure may include a seal or gasket configured to assist with providing a seal between the lid structure and the dish structure.

In some aspects, the lid structure may also include a vent structure configured to release steam and/or relief pressure from within the container prior to separating the lid structure from the dish structure. Some aspects of vent structure may includes a spring-activated mechanism.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out in the specification. The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be describe with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the lid structure of present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the retaining ring of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the dish structure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a retaining ring in a locked position.

FIG. 7 is a side cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a retaining ring in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a side cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a vent structure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

Embodiments herein are directed to a double-walled, insulating container having a dish structure, a lid structure configured to resealably-seal the dish interior space and a retaining ring configured to secure the lid structure to the dish structure. The container is constructed from reusable, heat retaining material, such as stainless steel.

Referring now to the drawings in which like-referenced numerals and/or names may refer to like elements, FIGS. 1-4 illustrates an embodiment of a double-walled, insulating container 10 of the present invention. The container 10 includes a dish structure 12, a lid structure 14 and a retaining ring 16. The dish structure 12 and a lid structure 14 may be formed of any suitable reusable material for the storage and transportation of food products, including but not limited to stainless steel.

The dish structure 12 is a double-wall structure that includes a dish inside wall 18, a dish inside base 17 extending between the dish inside wall 18, a dish outside wall 20 and a dish outside base 19 extending between the dish outside wall 18. The dish inside wall 18, dish inside base 17, the dish outside wall 20 and dish outside base 19 are fixedly separated by a dish insulation space 22 therebetween. Additionally, the dish inside wall 18 and the dish outside wall 20 are joined at an upper section 24 of the dish structure 12 to enclose the dish insulation space 22. In some embodiments, dish insulation space 22 may be a vacuum cavity. In still further embodiments, high temperature foam, fiberglass, or other suitable heat retaining material may be located within the dish insulation space 22. The heat retaining material is configured to retain heat from food products located within the container 10 such that the food product remains in a heated condition for an amount of time.

As shown, the inside dish wall 18 and outside dish wall 20 may be formed parallel to each other or any suitable design, including but not limited to tapered. The dish inside wall 18 defines a dish interior space 26 for containing food. The dish inside wall 18 and the dish outside wall 20 may be any suitable shape, including but not limited to rectangular, square, round and oval.

In an embodiment of the invention, the dish outer base 19 and the dish inside base 17 further includes a ribbing structure 44 to provide structural support to the dish structure, the ribbing structure 44 having a plurality of support ribs 46.

The lid structure 14 is configured to resealably-seal the dish interior space 26. The lid structure 14 is a double-wall structure that includes a lid inside wall 30, a lid inside base 31 extending between the lid inside wall 30, a lid outside wall 32 and a lid outside base 33 extending between the lid outside wall 32. The lid inside wall 30, lid inside base 31, the lid outside wall 32 and lid outside base 33 are fixedly separated by a lid insulation space 34 therebetween. Additionally, the lid inside wall 30 and the lid outside wall 32 are joined at a lower section 36 of the lid structure 14 to enclose the lid insulation space 34. In some embodiments, lid insulation space 34 may be a vacuum cavity. In still further embodiments, high temperature foam, fiberglass, or other suitable heat retaining material may be located within the lid insulation space 34. The heat retaining material is configured to retain heat from food products located within the container 10 such that the food product remains in a heated condition for an amount of time.

As shown, the inside lid wall 30 and outside lid wall 32 may be formed parallel to each other or any suitable design, including but not limited to tapered. The lid inside wall 30 defines a lid interior space 38 for containing food. The lid inside wall 30 and the lid outside wall 32 may be any suitable shape, including but not limited to rectangular, square, round and oval.

In some embodiments, the lid outside wall 32 may have an outwardly extending lid flange 40 and the dish outside wall 20 may have an outwardly extending dish flange 28. Lid flange 40 is configured to engage with dish flange 28 such that the lid structure 14 seals the dish interior space 26. In some embodiments, a seal or gasket 73 may be affixed to lid flange 40 to assist with providing a seal between the lid structure 14 and the dish structure 12.

In some embodiments, the lid structure 14 may further include a vent structure 60, see FIG. 8, configured to relief any pressure that has built up inside the container 10 and to release any accumulated steam. In these embodiments, lid structure 14 may have an opening 66 configured to receive vent structure 60. Vent structure 60 may be spring-activated and include a spring 62 activated push-button 64 located within opening 66. When not in activated, vent structure 60 would be retracted within lid structure 14 to form an airtight seal around opening 66. When activated, however, the airtight seal around opening 66 would be broken to allow any accumulated steam to pass from the interior of the container 10 to outside of the container 10.

The retaining ring 16 is configured to engage the lid flange 40. Retaining ring 16 has ring structure 17 that is configured to extend around the lid flange 40 and has at least one securing clip 42 configured to engage dish flange 28 to secure the lid structure 14 to the dish structure 12. The retaining ring 16 may be constructed from any suitable durable material, such as but not limited to stainless steel, other metals or plastic.

In some embodiments, see FIGS. 5-6, the securing clip 42 may include a flange clip 70 connected to the retaining ring 16 by a hinge 72 and is configured to temporarily engage the dish flange 28. The use of a hinge is illustrative and not meant to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other securing mechanisms are within in the scope of the present invention.

The lid flange 40 and the dish flange 28 having at least two handle portions 41, 29. In these embodiments, the flange clip 70 may engage the dish handle portions 29.

In some embodiments, the outer dish wall 20 and outer lid wall 32 may be made from a different material than the inside dish wall 18 and the inside lid wall 30. For example, the outer walls 20, 32 may be constructed from a carbon fiber shell while the inside walls 18, 30 may be constructed from stainless steel.

In some embodiments, lid structure 14 and/or dish structure 12 may include securing clips directly thereon which are configured to engage with the flange of the other structure. These embodiments will not require a retaining ring.

In some embodiments, lid structure 14 may include at least one locking protrusion 76 for engaging the retaining ring 16, see FIGS. 5-6. Locking protrusion 76 slopes outwardly and downwardly from the lid structure 14. Retaining ring 16 provides an engagement section 78 that slopes inwardly and downwardly to engage with locking protrusion 76 to secure the retaining ring 16 to the lid structure 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, an additional embodiment of container 100 is disclosed. Container 100 includes a lid structure 114 that is removably-coupled to the dish container 112 by at least one guide tracks 120 may be located along the upper section 124 of the dish structure 112 to further secure the lid structure 114 thereto. The configuration of the dish and lid structures 112, 114 may be any dimension sufficient to hold food therein. For example, container 100 may have a rectangular configuration, see FIG. 11.

In some embodiments, one or more magnetic components 122 may be connect to a dish structure flange 126 and may be configured to magnetically secure the lid structure 114 to the dish structure 112. The illustrations disclose the inclusion of magnetic components 122 to assist with the locking of the lid structure to the dish structure. This is not meant to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize the guide tracks 120 may be included without the magnetic components 122 in order to secure the lid structure to the dish structure.

In some embodiments, container 10 may be configured in various sizes and dimensions depending on the intended use. For example, when the intended use is to store and transport pizza, the size and dimension of container 10 would be a square box configuration. However, when the intended use is to store, and transport roasted turkey or chicken, the size and dimension of container 10 could be an oval configuration. Still further, when the intended use is to store and transport lasagna, the size and dimension of the container 10 could be a rectangular configuration.

In some embodiments, the dish structure, the lid structure or both dish and lid structures are constructed as single walled structures. Further, one or both of the structures may be constructed from transparent and/or translucent material. Further, one or both of the structures may include drainage openings, such as holes, to allow for drainage of the contents. These embodiments allow for the transportation of fruits and/or vegetables.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, an additional embodiment of the container 200 is disclosed. Container 200 includes a dish structure 202 having a dish flange 208 and a lid structure 204 having a lid flange 206. A retaining ring 210 is configured to engage the lid flange 206 and dish flange 208. Retaining ring 210 has a plurality of guide tracks 212 that are configured to engage the lid flange 206 and the dish flange 208 such that the dish structure 202 and the lid structure 204 are secured together.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 

I claim:
 1. An insulating container comprising: a dish structure, the dish structure having a dish inside wall and a dish outside wall, the dish inside wall and the dish outside wall being fixedly separated by a dish insulation space therebetween, the dish inside wall and the dish outside wall being joined at an upper section of the dish structure to enclose the dish insulation space, the dish inside wall defining a dish interior space the dish outside wall having an outwardly extending dish flange; a lid structure configured to resealably-seal the dish interior space, the lid structure having a lid inside wall and a lid outside wall, the lid inside wall and the lid outside wall being fixedly separated by a lid insulation space therebetween, the lid inside wall and the lid outside wall being joined at a lower section of the lid structure to enclose the lid insulation space, the lid inside wall defining a lid interior space the lid outside wall having an outwardly extending lid flange; and a retaining ring configured to engage the lid flange, the retaining ring having at least one securing clip configured to engage dish flange to secure the lid structure to the dish structure.
 2. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the lid is removably-coupled to the insulating container by at least one magnetic component.
 3. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of stainless steel.
 4. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the dish outer wall further comprises a ribbing structure to provide structural support to the dish structure, the ribbing structure having a plurality of support ribs.
 5. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the dish insulation space being a vacuum cavity.
 6. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the lid insulation space being a vacuum cavity.
 7. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the lid structure further comprises a vent structure.
 8. The insulating container of claim 7, wherein the vent structure is a spring-activated vent structure.
 9. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the lid flange having at least two handle portions.
 10. The insulating container of claim 1, wherein the dish flange having at least two handle portions. 